© Provided by GMA News Online Low-pressure area as of December 31, 2017
Some regional offices of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) have been placed on high alert status in anticipation of tropical cyclone Agaton.
In a report on Sunday morning, the NDRRMC said its regional offices in Central Luzon, Western Visyas, Central Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsulaz have sent advisories to their local counterparts to warn landslide and flood-prone areas.
It said Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula are already on red alert status while Centra Luzon is on blue alert.
Other regions including Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao are also bracing for Agaton, the first cyclone expected to enter the country in 2018.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, weather bureau PAGASA said the low pressure area expected to intensify into a tropical depression by January 1 or January 2 was estimated at 910 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
PAGASA said Agaton is expected to make landfall over Eastern Visayas or Eastern Mindanao.
The NDRRMC said local branches of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in these regions have also prepositioned food packs and other disaster relief supplies in anticipation of the adverse effects of the cyclone.
A large part of the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as Palawan in Mimaropa region, have been hit by tropical cyclones Urduja and Vinta.
The two cyclones entered the PAR before Christmas and at least 200 dead, more than 160 others missing, and thousands of families displaced.
Agaton is expected to take the paths taken by Urduja and Vinta. —ALG, GMA News